Lawyer Zen Buddhist Priest Mentor & At Risk Youth: Story of Teen Transformation & Survival

May 26, 2015 - PRLog -- The Northfield Union of Youth in Northfield, Minnesota is a non-profit center for youth – run by youth – that has helped thousands of kids since opening 20 years ago.  Among the innumerable lives the center has influenced, two alumni have chosen to share their personal story through the journaling they did while mentor and mentee at NUY.

Co-authors Miles Harrison, mentee, and Ted O’Toole, mentor, will mark the book launch for “Table 13 Journals: A Story of Teen Survival and Transformation” on June 6, 2 p.m. at the Key, the building that the center’s kids themselves own and operate at 109 Sixth Street West, in Northfield, MN.

“Table 13 Journals,” published by Willow Island Press, tells in a raw and vivid way the true personal story of a teenager's struggles with drugs, violence, and persistent thoughts of suicide. The story is set in 2000-2001, a product of the NUY mentoring program.  It is told in young Miles Harrison's own words, written when he was 15 and 16, and in the words of Ted O'Toole, his mentor at the center during this period.

Ted – a lawyer and Zen practitioner, now an ordained Soto Buddhist priest – and Miles’ mentoring sessions evolved into writing journals, then writing a book using their journal entries from their year-long mentorship. “Table 13” was the table at Bill’s Pizza Palace in Northfield, where Miles and Ted regularly met to compare journal entries.

“Table 13 Journals” has been described as a must-read for teens and anyone who has ever loved or worked with a teen, especially during times of difficulty. It also shares the story of the healing effects of the remarkable youth center, of the creative writing process, and of Ted's supportive presence, informed by his practice of Zen Buddhism.

Mike Blaha and Anne Cutter Mikkelsen will both return to Northfield to join the reunion event.  One of the seven founding youths at the Key, Mike is an artist and web developer.  He created the book’s cover design.  Anne held positions with NUY as adult advisor and then executive director for seven years,  and previously with Rice County Community Corrections’ prevention and intervention programs for high-risk youth.  Anne is the owner of Willow Island Press.

NUY is one of the oldest organizations of its kind in the country. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of its incorporation this year, 50 percent of all “Table 13” launch proceeds will be donated to the NUY.

About Miles Harrison Today

Miles Harrison performs and teaches for the Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Massachusetts. With the company’s regional education tour, Miles has helped hundreds of high school and middle school students learn classic Shakespeare plays, while they also gain confidence in themselves through public performances. Miles has been training with Shakespeare & Company since 2013. Previously, he performed at the Island Shakespeare Festival in Langley, on Whidbey Island, Washington. Here, he discovered his love for theater.

Book launch and signing

June 6, 2015, 2 p.m.

Where: Northfield Union of Youth, 109 Sixth Street West, Northfield, MN 55057

Table 13 Journals: A Story of Teen Survival and Transformation

Authors: Miles Harrison and Ted O’Toole

Willow Island Press (May 2015)

ISBN 9781511961721

http://www.table13journals.com

Also available at Amazon.com.

About Willow Island Press, Bellingham, WA

https://www.facebook.com/willowislandpress

Willow Island Press publishes non-fiction inspirational titles along the human path of life and in April 2015 published the Second Edition of “Take Charge of Parkinson’s Disease:  Dynamic Lifestyle Changes to Put You in the Driver’s Seat.”